The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-07-27


may have your promise back"
"Jack-I am yours"
Before the compact could be sealed by
the conventional kiss, Eva came along the
hall with several clinking glasses and the
lemonade.
so no." cried Eva, you two seem TO
have been telling secrets in my absence;
but my lemonade is much nicer than any
nonsense you folks have been whispering,
Ill warrant"
Tho lemonade was pronounced fine
mixture by Mr.. Spratt, much to its makers
satisfaction. Mabel knew her sister would
remain until Jack went away, and was
feyerishly anxious to be alone. Her little
brain was in a whirl, and fearing il she re-
manned she would betray her secret mad
vertently, she excused herself and entered
the house.
What were You two whispering about
while / was away, I'd just like to know"
queried Eva, with piquant curiosity.
was asking her what You thought Of
me, replied Sir Jack, laughing Il wished
to pave the way into your good graces,
and"
He stopped short. He had come face to
face with another inspiration.
81 rather like this; then why not more OF
it2" is his thought.
ana Wnat, MT. Opfatt!
at is this, Miss Eva," he said, in low,
earnest tone, that l have learned TO love
you with all my heart"
He took her hand and held it firmly.
Yes, Eva, my heart and soul are filled
with your image every hour in the day, and
at night my pillow is haunted with your
dear face. have striven against this pas
sion for you in vain, and now l must know
my fate. My darling, my darling tell me
TO hope-that you will be mine-mine for
eyer?"
Your wife, calculated the astonished
girl.
Eva, Eva! can you not realize that my
life's happiness is at stake? BE kind to
me-pity me-, Jack went on, with sad
ness in his tones. will you-can you love
me?"
Jack, this is very sudden. Il"
And she made slight effort to free her
hand.
"Ah, my love, my life! 1 will not let you
go until you tell me your heart is mine"
And Jacks curly head approached danger
ously near hers. EVA, love mel"
Jack, l have always felt kindly toward
you, ano-and perhaps / may learn"
Learn to love me then, if you do not
now, eagerly interrupted he; "and you
will kiss me, my darling?"
For answer she laid her head upon his
shoulder, and Jacks lips met hers softly.
hey just had time to assume positions as
cribed by etiquette to proper decorum
when Mabel appeared in the door.
"Ah, Lady Mabel rejoins us. and just in
time to receive my adieusln said Jack,
rising to take his departure.
He extended a hand to each and received
two significant pressures. which he re-
turned with strict impartiality.
Need you GO so soon?" said the twins,
simultaneously.
81 think ought. yet / do not wish to. "
And he gave each hand Roaming squeeze
as he released them.
He babe each Good night" in differ
ent tone, and In a moment had disappeared
III the darkness.
No sooner had the girls entered their
room than Mabel said, EVA, don't you
think Mr.. Spratt is very nice gentle
man?'
Indeed I do, and he's so handsome,
too"
"He is certainly the finest looking gen.
tleman / ever have had the good fortune to
meet"
A long silence ensued.
Mabel" said Eva, solemnly, I'm en-
gagged"
$50 am l." gravely replied her sister.
You are?" returned Eva, in surprise.
Yes. i promised Jack ="
Jack"
Yes, Jack Spratt."
Tonight"
Why, yes; while you were getting the
lemonade he asked me to marry him."
And when you were gone he asked me
the same thing"
The sisters looked at each other in amaze
ment. The truth slowly dawned upon them,
and each realized she had been hoaxed.
"The wretch" moaned Mabel.
1.-The villain" groaned Eva.
AS Jack swung along at five mile gait
he said TO himself. "Pshaw a man who
can't make two proposals in an evening,
don't amount TO much. There's more fun
in it than imagined. / wonder if Maudie
will want any more of these little favors.
Guess not for one while"